Liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the ternary systems, methyl isopropyl ketone (MIPK) + (resorcinol, or hydroquinone) + water, were measured at 298.2, 313.2 and 323.2 K under atmospheric pressure by gas chromatography. The efficiency of MIPK to extract resorcinol or hydroquinone was assessed by the distribution coefficients and separation factors. The LLE data were correlated by the NRTL and UNIQUAC models to yield binary interaction parameters. MIPK was proven to be very promising to extract phenols by comparing its extraction efficiency and physical properties with other extractants used for extracting phenols in industry. The binary interaction parameters of solute pairs, e.g. MIPK-water, calculated from the NRTL or UNIQUAC models were found to agree with corresponding parameters in other LLE systems. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.